Wedding Ceremonies « New Orleans Finest Musicians

Wedding music by New Orleans’ Finest Musicians

For most wedding ceremonies, we play for 30 minutes before your ceremony while your guests are arriving, whatever music you need for the ceremony’s processions, parts of the ceremony, and 2 pieces at the ceremony’s conclusion.

Arrangements can be made for your ensemble to stay and perform for your dinner, cocktail hour, or reception.

Throughout this whole process, We’ll assist you in going over every detail of the ceremony and reception including selecting musicians and music, working with your coordinator, family members, and officiant; and will stay in close contact as the date approaches to make sure that everything goes as planned. We coordinate and arrange music and musicians for weddings and receptions on a weekly basis. We’ve performed music for countless events and have not had a negative review yet!

A String Quartet is the recommended string ensemble, consisting of 2 violinists, a violist, and a cellist. Quartets have the ability to perform a wide range of repertoire, and it is a popular choice for a wedding ceremony. If you wish to add a different voice to the group, a flute can make a nice substitution for one of the violins. Also, the addition of a trumpet player for the bridal march makes for a big entrance and is also very popular.

String Trios, made up of either 2 violinists and cellist, or a violinist, violist, and cellist, provides many of the benefits of a string quartet while being more economical with one fewer musician. The sound of a string trio will not be as thick and complete as that of a quartet and it offers less complexity of harmonies, but still creates a warm, beautiful sound while providing good value.

Duos sound more hollow when compared to sound of a string quartet, but can be striking nonetheless. We recommend a higher voiced instrument paired with a piano, organ, harp, or guitar.

These work well together:

High Voices

Violin
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Trumpet
Saxophone

Low Voices and Accompanists

Cello/Bass
Bassoon
Guitar
Piano
Harp

Instrumental soloists can also make a strong impression on your ceremony. Whether it be a vocal tenor or soprano, violin, harp, or keyboardist; your ceremony will have individuality and convey the ambiance that you want.

Church weddings work well with an organist, which is very often provided by the church. Solo violin music is especially effective and versatile when performing with your organist, pianist, or unaccompanied.

1. Prince of Denmark’s March, aka “Trumpet Voluntary”. Composed by J. Clarke. Trumpet & Organ.

2. Trumpet Tune – H. Purcell – Trumpet & Organ

3. La Rejouissance from the Royal Fireworks Suite – G.F. Handel – String Ensemble

4. Allegro Maestoso from the Watermusic Suite – G.F. Handel – Strings, Woodwinds, & Brass

5. “Spring” from the Four Seasons. A. Vivaldi. Two Solo Violins & Orchestra.

6. Wedding March from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” F. Mendelssohn – Symphony Orchestra

7. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – J.S. Bach – Flute & Harp

8. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – J.S. Bach – Violin & Guitar

9. Kanon in D – J. Pachelbel – String Ensemble

10. Ave Maria – J. S. Bach – String Ensemble

11. Ave Maria – F. Schubert – String Ensemble

12. Ave Maria – F. Schubert – vocal tenor and organ

13. Panis Angelicus – C. Franck – Vocal Tenor & Organ

14. The Lord’s Prayer – A.H. Malotte – Vocal Soprano, Harp, & Strings

15. Le Cygne (Swan) from “Carnival of the Animals” – C. Saint-Saens – Cello & Harp

16. Tramerei – R. Schumann – String Ensemble

17. Air from the Watermusic Suite – G.F. Handel – Oboe & Chamber Orchestra

18. Concertante – D. Scarlatti – Violin & Guitar

19. Sleeper’s Wake – J.S. Bach – Violin & Guitar

20. Air on the G String – J.S. Bach – Violin & Guitar

21. Serenade – J. Haydn – Violin & Guitar

I recommend tracks 1 through 6 for the bride’s entrance and/or exit, which is usually a march of some sort. Feel free to specify if you prefer a faster or slower tempo for any of these pieces.

Tracks 7 and 8 are two different ensembles performing Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring which is a very popular ceremony piece for the family’s and/or bridesmaids’ procession. Track 8 is a live recording of myself on violin at Trinity Church in New Orleans from 2007 with a classical guitarist.

Track 9 is Pachelbel’s Kanon in D which is also a very popular choice for a processional.

Track 10 features a string ensemble performing Bach’s Ave Maria. Tracks 11 and 12 are both Schubert’s version of the Ave Maria, the former is an instrumental arrangement and the latter features one of our own local tenors. He is also featured on track 13 singing Franck’s Panis Angelicus. Track 14 is a recording of The Lord’s Prayer performed by a vocal soprano.

Tracks 15 through 18 are pieces that we often perform during the 30 minutes of prelude music while your guests are arriving, as well as during any of the various parts of your ceremony. Tracks 15 and 16 are two of my favorite pieces featuring the cello; track 17 features an oboe, which has a distinct, clear, and penetrating sound. Track 18 is another live recording of me and a classical guitarist performing a Scarlatti Concertante. This is not so much a wedding standard; however, it is a good example of the upbeat and spirited music that we play before and after your ceremony.

Please don’t feel that you are limited to choosing from only these pieces; I can recommend plenty of others, or let me know what particular songs you have in mind and I’ll track down the sheet music if I don’t have it already. Call or email me anytime if you have questions or to discuss details.